Hull man hurt trying to save house from blaze

Laurel J. SweetMonday, January 27, 2014

A Hull man remained in serious condition last night at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, recovering from third-degree burns on his back and arms authorities said he suffered trying to stop his oceanfront property from burning to the ground early yesterday morning.

“Right now we’re leaning toward a space heater, but it’s not confirmed,” Hull fire Capt. Kevin Breen said late yesterday. “At this point, we’ve been unable to interview the homeowner.”

Breen said the 62-year-old man lived alone at the century-old four- bedroom house on Nantasket Avenue and escaped the two-alarm inferno on his own.

He was flown by medical helicopter to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston with burns “over 35 percent of his body,” Breen said.

The call for help came in at 12:05 a.m., and first responders “were met with heavy fire,” said Breen, who declared the structure “a total loss.”

Mutual aid was provided by fire companies from Hingham, Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate.

One firefighter was treated for a knee injury he suffered falling on ice.

“We had a little difficulty dealing with icing at the fire scene and wind conditions,” Breen said.